A major theme of the Sermon on the Mount is “the spiritual life in Christ” characterized by supernatural selflessness. Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing”. After He taught them the beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), Jesus said, “You’ve heard it said …” They had been taught by the Pharisees, who were zealous for ‘the letter of the Law’. However, the Pharisees did not understand ‘the spirit of the Law’. Jesus came to deliver a new law of “the spirit of life in Christ”. The Lord Jesus said, “You have heard about the law of sin and death ... an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you love your enemies, bless them who despise you and persecute you.” As the Apostle Paul said, it’s not I, but Christ who lives in me... I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Jesus continued, if you only love those who love you in return, don’t even the hated tax-gatherers do that? Perfection is not in the nature of the flesh that we inherited from Adam. The love of God is upside down from worldly motives. The world teaches that we should make regular deposits into a resentment bank in our minds. When those we live with, work with, and associate with offend us and use us, don’t get mad, just get even. Store up resentment and with a heart of vengeance and retaliation, seek “just retribution.” However, Jesus said, if someone slaps you on the cheek, then turn the other cheek. If someone steals your clothes, then give him your coat also. Love your enemies, do good to those who slander you, speak evil of you and despitefully use you, for great is your reward in Heaven.
Forsaking our sinful selves and mourning over the sin that has separated our hearts from God’s heart is the beginning of approaching God’s throne of grace. With a heart of meekness and humility, we can relinquish our own lives under the lordship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Then He will give us His nature ... the nature of the spirit of God in Christ in us the hope of glory. The gospel is a paradox. It’s discouraging to the flesh but encouraging to the Holy Spirit of His righteousness. Jesus is come for the rising and the falling of men and women ... the difference is whether we confess Him as Lord ... as Master of our lives as born-again Believers of the truth of the word of God made flesh – God incarnate.
The nominal Christian has one foot in the church and one foot in the world. They have not committed His way unto the Lord. They have difficulty with understanding the unconditional love of God. They struggle with admitting that they are weak in their own power. They are anxious and worried over the things of this world that consume their time and energy ... their family, their work, their marriage, and much more. They are unwilling to work on their interpersonal relationships or an intimate, meaningful relationship with spouse. Even though they have heard Christian sermons, read Christian books, and have participated in small group Bible Studies, they feel like they should throw in the spiritual towel because the things of the Spirit haven’t made a difference in their life. They question their salvation and feel like a loser when they are around truly devout, born-again Christians. They are uncomfortable on spiritual turf and cannot identify with the preacher’s message. They avoid situations where they will be called upon to pray or share something from the Word of God. They have a hard time trusting other people and do not have a trusted friend to confide with. The nominal Christian is a casual Christian. Casual Christians become casualties in the spiritual battle.
What is the distinguishing feature of a true Christian? What does the authentic Christian do more than others? After Solomon had written the book of Ecclesiastes, (his treatise about the vanity and emptiness of this world’s empty promises), he came to this conclusion: Fear, respect, honor, love God and keep his commandments ... for this is the whole duty of man. As the Prophet Micah said, “what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” The Lord’s bondservant must not strive ... they must not be quarrelsome but be kind to all, apt and able to teach, patient, gently correcting with the Word of God those who oppose themselves, for it is the kindness, goodness, grace and mercy of God that calls men and women to repentance. Jesus said, come unto me all you who are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light, that we may live to the praise of the glory of His grace! Be selfless in Christ; not selfish.
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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